Category: Annual Celebration

Hanami (flower viewing) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers; flowers (hana) are in this case almost always referring to those of the cherry (sakura) or, less frequently plum(ume) trees. Cherry trees generally bloom from the end of March to early May. The blossom forecast (桜前線, sakura-zensen) is announced each … Continue reading “Hanami”

Italy’s Liberation Day, also known as the Anniversary of the Liberation, Anniversary of the Resistance or simply 25 April, is a national Italian holiday commemorating the end of Nazi occupation of the country during World War Two and the victory of the Resistance. And for those who might like to practice their Italian: L’anniversario della liberazione d’Italia (anche chiamato festa della Liberazione, anniversario della … Continue reading “25 aprile Festa della Liberazione”

St George’s Day is celebrated on 23 April by various Christian churches and by several nations, kingdoms, countries and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint, including England and regions of Spain and Portugal in particular. From the early 15th century St. George’s Day was a major feast and national holiday in England … Continue reading “23 April St George’s Day”

Passover 2020 begins at sundown on Wednesday April 8, and ends Thursday evening April 16. The first Passover seder (festive meal) is on the evening of April 8, and the second Passover seder takes place on the evening of April 9. Passover is a festival of  freedom that commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their … Continue reading “Passover (Pesach) 8-16 April”

Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, which is celebrated worldwide by various ethno-linguistic groups. Nowruz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 3,000 years  It remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Bahais and some Muslim communities. Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox … Continue reading “20 March Nowruz – Iranian New Year”

In South Africa, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960. This massacre occurred as a result of protests against the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The annual commemoration is a reminder about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of  democracy in … Continue reading “21 March South Africa – Human Rights’ Day”

  Saint Patrick’s Day, (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration for the foremost patron saint of Ireland (c. AD 385–461). Tradition says that he spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted “thousands”. Patrick’s efforts against the druids were eventually … Continue reading “St Patrick’s Day 17 March”

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. The earliest Women’s Day observance in 1909 was called ‘National Women’s Day’ and was held in New York City, organised by the Socialist PArty of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel. There … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”

    Because books aren’t just for bedtime. World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe on the first Thursday in March. This year’s theme is ‘Share a million stories‘. It is the perfect opportunity for parents, teachers … Continue reading “March 5 – World Book Day”

Saint David’s Day (Welsh: Dewi Sant) is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales  and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD. The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II. Saint David was a Celtic monk … Continue reading “1 March – St David’s Day, Patron Saint of Wales”